How to make a do-it-yourself car wash foam generator
Content
The car is in some way the calling card of its owner. That is why every self-respecting motorist should take care of the appearance of his iron horse. In this case, a high-quality and, importantly, safe car wash comes first.
It should be noted that today there is a fairly extensive network of professional services focused on the types of services presented. However, due to a number of circumstances, it is not always possible to use their services.
And why, when with the help of a minimum set of tools and some skill you can create a kind of touchless car wash at home. To do this, you do not need to be a scientist, but it is quite enough to have a small amount of technical knowledge and skills.
The presented article is intended to acquaint everyone with the applied methods of creating the so-called foam generator for car washing.
The principle of operation and design of the foam generator
Before you implement any technical project, you must first familiarize yourself with the design features of the product and learn the principle of its operation. This approach will greatly simplify the solution of various design problems throughout the entire process of implementing the presented project.
Consider the principle of operation of the most ordinary foam generator. There is nothing difficult in this. So, the essence of his work is as follows:
- a special container is filled with a solution of water and detergent;
- the container, after filling with a solution, is sealed;
- compressed air is supplied to the sealed container until the set pressure value is reached;
- when you press the trigger of the washing gun, compressed air squeezes out a solution with a washing reagent;
- passing through the mesh deflector of the foaming tablet, the solution passes into a dispersed state, which contributes to the release of a large amount of foam;
- foam is fed through the jet of the washing gun with the required intensity and width of the torch, directly onto the car body.
The process of operation of the foam concentrate allows you to create a clear idea of the main components of this unit. Thus, we can conclude that any installation of this kind consists of integral working elements. Namely:
- high-strength container/cylinder;
- pressure indicator;
- hoses;
- fitting;
- pressure reducing valve;
- foam tablet.
All of these components are readily available and can be selected in a wide variety of variations. It should be noted that in addition to the presented components, a necessary condition for the operation of the foaming agent is the presence of a compressor for air injection.
How to make your own car wash foam generator
If you have set yourself the idea of creating a foam generator from improvised means, it will not be superfluous to familiarize yourself with the existing developments in this area.
Among all the existing varieties of home-made devices, those that are easy to assemble and highly efficient deserve attention.
Each of the methods presented below does not require highly professional skills and abilities from its creator. Let's get to know them in more detail.
fire extinguisher device
The key element of any blowing agent is the container itself. The most acceptable analogue of a factory tank can be an ordinary cylinder from a used fire extinguisher.
Due to its design features, such a tank is suitable for this project at the right time. However, the matter is not limited to one fire extinguisher. If you are serious about getting things done,
You will need to get some equipment. It includes:
- a piece of half-inch pipe;
- rubber hose;
- fitting;
- half inch faucet;
- half inch quick fitting;
- sealing tape.
The point is small - to assemble on the basis of all of the above a full-fledged foaming agent. Despite the simplicity of the presented design, for the effective implementation of this project, it is important to follow a certain sequence of actions.
So, the procedure for creating a foam concentrate based on a fire extinguisher is divided into the following steps:
- A neck is welded in the upper part of the fire extinguisher, which will subsequently be hermetically sealed with a lid;
- A half-inch threaded tube is welded to the side of the neck;
- A transition fitting is screwed onto the threaded part of the tube to secure the rubber hose;
- A hole is drilled at the base of the fire extinguisher and a piece of a half-inch threaded tube is inserted;
- In a pipe segment immersed inside the fire extinguisher, about 10 holes with a diameter of 2-2,5 mm are drilled, while the end of the pipe must be plugged;
- Outside, the tube is scalded;
- A tap with a hose adapter screwed into it is screwed onto the outer end of the tube.
The principle of operation of such a device is that air is supplied to the fire extinguisher with a solution through the lower hose using a compressor.
Having reached a certain value, the compressor is turned off and the ball valve on the air supply line is closed. After that, the valve on the upper outlet opens and the foam, passing through the rubber hose, comes out.
The tube immersed inside the fire extinguisher deserves special attention in this design. Holes in this case are necessary to create conditions for effective bubbling.
The presented phenomenon, speaking the language of the layman, is associated with the mixing of the solution by means of air bubbles resulting from the passage of air through the narrow holes of the bubble tube.
It should be noted that in the process of assembling all fittings, it is necessary to ensure sealing in the places of threaded connections. To do this, you can use fum-tape or ordinary tow.
Garden sprayer device
If it was not possible to get a fire extinguisher, an ordinary garden sprayer can always replace it. It can be easily purchased at almost any garden store. In addition, you will need an ordinary kitchen sponge and an awl.
So, armed with the indicated tool, let's start making a home foam generator.
To do this, you need to perform the following simple manipulations:
- Remove the cover from the atomizer;
- Make a hole in the capillary tube in close proximity to the edge of the cap;
- Dismantle the spray nozzle;
- Remove the metal tube of the spray nozzle;
- Insert a piece of sponge into the tube;
- Assemble the spray cap.
The specified hole is used as an air channel necessary to create an emulsion solution. The sponge in this case performs the function of a dispersion sprayer.
This type of foaming agent is significantly inferior to that considered earlier. However, it is less expensive and accessible to everyone.
Plastic canister device
The list of methods is not limited to this. As an alternative replacement for a fire extinguisher and sprayer, you can easily use an ordinary plastic canister.
A minimum of effort and a little ingenuity and the coveted foam generator is ready. In this case, you can limit yourself to a list of the following components:
- the canister itself;
- spray gun / gun;
- tubes;
- jet nozzle.
Once all the details are found, we proceed to the direct assembly of the device. So, we find any tube that comes to hand and fill it with fishing line. The length of the tube should not exceed about 70-75 mm.
We screw caps on both ends of the tube. A tee should be mounted on the first plug, and a fitting on the second.
We bring hoses and taps to the tee. The hose from the tee will go into the hole made in the canister lid. One of the taps will regulate the flow of solution from the tank, and the second — air supply from the compressor.
Foam generator for Karcher with Aliexpress
Currently, it is not difficult to purchase this or that thing, as they say, without leaving home. The foam generator in this case is no exception. For a fairly reasonable price, anyone can afford a fully-fledged foaming agent.
It is worth noting that most of the presented devices come from the Middle Kingdom. Therefore, it is quite advisable to order them using the well-known Aliexpress trading platform.
What chemistry to fill homemade equipment
In the case of using home-made devices, a completely reasonable question arises: what kind of detergents are most appropriate for creating a working solution?
To date, foaming agents are presented in a wide range, so it is difficult to unequivocally state that the chemistry of a certain brand will be the most acceptable in this case.
However, you can always turn to analytical data and compile a list of manufacturers that are most popular among motorists.
Among them are the following companies:
- Car shampoo from Karcher;
- Domestic liquid soap "New Dawn";
- Shampoo-concentrate "Hi Gear";
- FliNN car shampoo;
- Car shampoo «Grass»
If you have something to add, do it in the comments below.
